Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Real travelers love South America. Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures.

The Caribbean is a region of the Americas that comprises the Caribbean Sea, surrounding coasts & its Islands. The Islands of the Caribbean Sea or West Indies are an extensive archipelago in the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly strung between North & South America. The joyous mosaic of islands beckons paradise-hunters, an explosion of color, fringed by beaches & soaked in rum. The lively & intoxicating profusion of people & places is spread over 7000 islands (fewer than 10% are inhabited) but inspite of the ‘sharing’ there is also much that makes them different. It is as though the Islands were built for travel; places that excite, thrill, challenge & infuriate.

Timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating – Cuba is a country of indefinable magic, a vibrant cultural melting pot of African, European & Caribbean influences.  Trapped in a time warp, it is like a prince in a poor man’s coat: behind the sometimes shabby facades, gold dust lingers. This is a country where you can wave goodbye to everyday assumptions & expect the unexpected. If Cuba were a book, it would be James Joyce's Ulysses: layered, hard to grasp, frequently misunderstood, but – above all – a classic. Just bring an open mind & prepare for a long, slow seduction…

Arrive in Havana which combines faded European grandeur with Latin passion care-free life & beaches.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Havana Jose Martí International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day at leisure or perhaps opt for one of the options available (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements).

Complicated | Art & Architecture| Cool Cafes & Bohemian Bars | History

Emptied your pockets on world-class habanos cigars & Cuban anejo rum? Don't fret, Cuba's capital city can still be your oyster. From stunning views to small, leafy gardens hidden in plain sight & underground bunkers dating back to the cold war, Havana can seem like a confusing jigsaw puzzle, but work out how to put the pieces together & a beautiful picture emerges.

No one could have invented Havana - too audacious, too contradictory & despite 60 years of withering neglect, too damned beautiful.

How, it is anyone’s guess ? Maybe it is the long history of piracy, colonialism & mobster rule. Perhaps, it is the survivalist spirit of a populace scarred by 2 Independence wars, a Revolution & continuing US animosity. Or possibly, it is something to do with the indefatigable salsa energy that ricochets off walls & emanates most emphatically from the people.

For centuries, it has served as the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. It was 1492 that Christopher Columbus was completely mesmerized looking out at the coast from the bow of his ship La Santa Maria. Right in front of his 3 ships, a magical Island appeared full of trees, birds & fruits, a completely new kind of beauty.

Originally christened La Villa de San Cristobal de la Habana, it was the 6^th town founded by the Spanish on the Island. The name was derived from San Cristobal, patron saint of Havana & Habana, of obscure origin, possibly derived from Habaguanex, a Native American chief who controlled the area before the Spanish invaders came in. In the course of 4 years, the Settlers moved to the present site of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) on the west coast to the channel leading into the harbor. Although the capital of Spanish Cuba was initially at Santiago de Cuba at the eastern end of the south coast of Cuba, it was transferred to Havana in 1592.

The city became a depository for treasures that Spanish fleets brought to the New World. It also became the centre of trade & commerce between the old & new worlds. Havana’s strategic geographic position was a major factor in its rapid growth & in the decision to build a sea wall in the 17^th century which took more than 100 years to complete.

More than 500 years later in Havana, history is piled up like hoarded treasure in a dusty attic - except these days, the colonial thoroughfares look a little less dusty, thanks to proactive City Historian Eusebio Leal Spengler, who has been nailing the city’s exhausted infrastructure back together piece by piece for more than 30 years.

It may not be like the scene in Paris or New York quite yet, but Havana's art culture is one of the city's biggest surprises. The creativity is nothing new. Cuban artists have been quietly challenging cultural elites since the age of Jose Nicolas de la Escalera & his depictions of enslaved black people. His work & of others, is splendidly displayed in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, while newer, racier crews congregate for electrifying 'happenings' at the Fabrica de Arte Cubano or take to the streets with their rollers & brushes in Habana Vieja.

Walk the streets of Habana Vieja today & you will quickly feel a genuine connection with the past in imposing coastal fortifications & intimate, traffic-free Plazas stuffed with Museums. Equally engrossing are the scattered leftovers from Cuba's more recent marriages with the USA & the USSR.

Havana is new & vintage at the same time. It is the cultural center par none & the big events almost invariably take place here. If you have any chance of running into Herbie Hancock or Madonna or other A-listers, it will be in Havana. Precisely because of the coming together of so many different facets of the city (beaches, architecture, nightlife, commerce, history, etc.) Havana is the main hub of Cuba.

Life in La Havana passes by surrounded by music, tradition, culture, national monuments & natural attractions of immeasurable value. Dances & Cuban “sones” infects each one to this land’s children & to guests, as well; customs & traditions remain untouched

Today, Havana is the heart of the nation’s busy political, scientific & cultural life. Museums, Theatres, Concert halls, Art Galleries & Cultural institutions are popular venues, while some - such as the National Ballet of Cuba, House of the Americas, Foundation of New Latin American Film & National Folkloric Dance Group -have won international acclaim.

Being a major Port & capital of the most sensual & musical country, Havana upholds the core of Spanish colonial rule, culture & architectural styles and is known for its care-free life & beaches. The capital is characterized by an intense cultural activity throughout the year to delight the population & visitors.

Spanish colonial architecture in 16^th century UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Havana, the city’s historic core, includes the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a Fort & a maritime Museum. The National Capitol Building is an iconic 1920s landmark & the baroque Catedral de San Cristobal & Plaza Vieja reflect the city’s vibrant architectural mix.

Havana is a splendid architectural rainbow as the influence of different styles & cultures - Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Greek & Roman, is illustrated in buildings. Neo-classicism style can be seen throughout the city in the buildings constructed in 18^th & 19^th centuries. At the turn of the 20^th century, large buildings were built with the international influences of art nouveau, art deco & eclectic.

Modernism, too, transformed much of the city & can be noticed by its high-quality smaller individual buildings, such as Habana Libre. The Plaza de la Revolucion, has many monumental modernist buildings including the National Theater that reminds one of the Royal Festival Hall in London. Also in the Square, there is the Jose Marti Memorial, the tallest tower in Cuba at 109 meters. Old Havana, a fundamental enclave of colonial architecture, features narrow & shady streets & some unique Squares.

In 1863, the city walls were demolished so that the city could be expanded & new splendid buildings were constructed. At the end of the 19^th century, the wealthy classes moved to the elegant neighborhood of Vedado, with its many Villas & Palaces.

Under American influence in the 20^th century, the city grew & became the capital of gambling & corruption. Many grand Hotels, Casinos & splendid Nightclubs were built, such as, still existing, Focsa & the Hotel Nacional.

With the victory of the Revolution in 1959, led by Fidel Castro Ruz, great social transformations were made, mainly in relation to education, public health, services, construction of social housing & official buildings. An extensive network of educational institutions guarantees access for all citizens to the most comprehensive educational services up to university level & the same happens with health services.

In 2014, Havana was officially conferred the status, mainly for its mythical appeal, welcoming environment, the charisma & joviality of its inhabitants, as one of the winners of the New 7 Wonder Cities Contest in a global campaign when millions of world citizens, voted in an Internet-based polls organised by the New 7 Wonders Foundation.

The global competition began in 2007 with more than 1200 nominees from 220 countries. That list was reduced to 77 as there was a limit of one city per country. It was further narrowed down by a panel of experts headed by Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former Director General of UNESCO, to 28 suggestions. Following the announcement of the 28 finalists, the winning 7 cities were chosen by voters from around the world. None of the world’s 7 winning cities are in Europe or the US. Others selected are Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, La Paz & Vigan. The Cuban government installed a commemorative plaque to endorse the recognition, on the esplanade of the UNESCO World Heritage listed San Salvador de la Punta Fortress at the entrance of the Bay. Havana continues to thrill.

Unwinding at the seaside Malecon is a quintessential Havana experience. Strolling along the Waterfront as the sun sets is a unique opportunity to witness the liveliest part of the city. Catch a glimpse of a Cuban kaleidoscope - young sweet hearts hand-in-hand, street musicians playing traditional Cuban hits, youngsters blasting reggaeton on portable speakers - you get a little bit of everything by just walking (or sitting) & people watching.

Evening, meet the Journeys Rep & proceed to enjoy a Welcome Dinner in a local Paladar.

Paladares (plural) are one of the best ways to enjoy local Cuban cuisine. A Paladar is a small, family-run restaurant, usually in a converted part of a home. Many Paladares appear & operate much like a normal restaurant. Here, guests can taste some of the best food in Cuba as well as experience intimate & warm setting with the locals, featuring traditional Cuban food & music.  (Generally, Groups cannot be accommodated). Guests are free to try one on their own in any / all the Cuban cities on their Itinerary (our local office will be able to provide suggestions & / or make arrangements based on your tastes & preferences).

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09:00 am & proceed for an exciting full day sightseeing tour of Havana.

Havana refuses to grow old, even with its old architecture - the seams of time visible on many of its facades.  Havana cleans itself up & is re-painted over & over again, modernizing life within its old walls. 

Begin your exploration today with a ride in one of the brightly-painted vintage American cars, which is a tourist attraction in itself.

When the US placed an embargo on Cuba in 1960, the Island’s pipeline of American cars was abruptly cut off. Now, you will find 60,000 vintage cars from the 1950s, 40s & even the 30s. Meticulously maintained for decades, the streets of Havana feel like one, big, classic car show - but not without some surprises under the hood, as Cubans used whatever they could find to keep their cars running.

The most significant US restrictions, including those on cars, began in 1960. That year, Castro’s government seized multiple American-owned businesses & converted them into publicly-owned companies. President Eisenhower retaliated in October with a total ban on all exports to Cuba. Often-overlooked is the fact that Castro banned importing foreign vehicles & parts 1959, a year before Eisenhower’s embargo.

Drive past the city’s iconic Malecon, the crystalline waterfront Avenue (the favorite place of Havana’s locals), passing through the Monuments, Forts & the art deco style buildings along the coastal esplanade & through the Vedado & Miramar suburbs.

Then, venture into the labyrinth of streets, on a walking tour, crossing Avenue del Puerto to Habana Vieja (Old Havana) with its 4 Squares, baroque Cathedral, beautiful neo-classical buildings & the main Square - Plaza de Armas. Old Havana is just 2 square miles, but packed with weeks worth of attractions.

In the early 1500s, Havana numbered 4 cobblestone streets with 18^th century facades & Calle de Los Oficios was chief among them. It is not as busy as some nearby lanes but the closest you will get to see where it all began. For more hustle, at Calle de Los Mercaderes, you will find the city’s burgeoning class of small businesses, keeping true to its name as the street of merchants. Meet local people along the way, interacting with small business ‘entrepreneurs’ speaking about their new businesses. Learn about Cuba’s dual-sector economy, in which private & government-owned businesses operate, as you wander through shops selling food, books & art.

Cultural Spaces in Havana abound - at least 21 Cinemas, 34 Video Rooms, 52 Museums, 25 Libraries, 52 Bookstores, 11 Theaters, 34 Cultural Houses, 4 Trova Houses & 35 Art Galleries.

Los Oficios also connects to the equally old Calle Obispo, a narrow street designed to protect passerby from the sun & the site of an original city gate past the walls of Old Havana.

Havana’s oldest streets lead to the city’s first public Square, 16^th century Plaza de Armas or “Square of Arms” which gained its current name as the site of military parade ground under Spanish rule & as a leafy Oasis on a sunny day. Major events are held in this Square, where the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (1577) exhibits the most important pottery art collection in the Island & the building’s Tower is crowned by La Giraldilla, an artistic wind vane that has become a symbol of the city. There is also the Captain-General’s Palace (Museum of the City), El Segundo Cabo & a statue of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, a native of Bayamo & the father of Cuban independence.

Old Havana’s other 17^th century Plazas, each with a soul all its own, surrounded by opulent Mansions, aren’t far away. Take a break in the interior courtyard of a colonial house, which had its time of grace in the 19^th century as well as now (because we all know vintage has a particular charm).

Plaza de la Catedral, once known as “Swamp Square” for its muddy terrain, is home to Havana’s most impressive Church & Covent where one of the cloisters house the Museum of Sacred Art. It also has the main conduit of Old Havana’s oldest aqueduct, as well as the area’s oldest house - Casa del Conde de Casa Bayona, circa 1720.

The recently restored Plaza Vieja, formerly known as “Plaza Nueva,” was built as an alternative to Plaza de Armas. Today, it is home to some of Havana’s best architecture & an excellent array of restaurants & coffee shops. There is Plaza de San Francisco de la Havana, which takes its name from the Franciscan convent built there in 1591, a favorite spot for pigeons.

Stop by the famous Revolutionary Square where Fidel Castro gave some of his most rousing speeches. Take-in the tropical views & classic American cars all around & see the immense images of Che Guevara & Camilo Cienfuegos that adorn the surrounding edifices. Notice the lack of advertising - nothing but political exhortations are allowed.

You will also see one of the oldest & historic hotels in Cuba, among many. Hotel Inglaterra, one of few US-owned hotels in Cuba, opened in 1875 & played host to Anna Pavlova, Winston Churchill, now countless American visitors & writer Jose Marti who in 1879, gave a speech here advocating for Cuban independence from Spain, which came less than 20 years later. Across from the Hotel, there is a marble statue of the writer, which is thought to be the oldest statue of the Marti in Cuba.

One of the most visited sites in Havana, this majestic construction in the Centro Habana, is similar to the Capitol in Washington D.C, but a meter higher, a meter wider & a meter longer, as well as much more rich in detail. Supported by USA, the building was commissioned by Cuban President Gerardo Machado & built from 1926 to 1929 under the direction of Eugenio Rayne, with a labour force of 5000 workers, with a price tag of US$17 millions.

In between, enjoy a typical Lunch in a Paladar with mojitos, music & traditional cuisine serving homemade farm-to-table Cuban dishes.

Later, visit a good place to delve into Cuba's absorbing history, the fascinating Museum of the Revolution, housed in the impressive former Presidential Palace, the former residence for all Cuban Presidents, from Mario Garcia Menocal to Flugencio Batista.

We will end the day with a visit to one of the NGOs (non-governmental organization) overseeing sustainability projects.

Proceed to the Arte Corte community project to see how small private businesses have impacted the neighborhoods of Old Havana.

Journey up Avenida de Belgica until you reach Barrio del Santo Angel, a beautiful little neighbourhood in Old Havana flanked by a Church made famous in the legendary Cuban novel "Cecilia Valdes o la Loma del Angel" by Cirilo Villaverde”, considered the best Cuban novel of the 19^th century, perfectly evoking the Cuba of the early 1800s, echoing the growing anti-slavery sentiment & delving into the complex problems of race relations in Cuba.

Coming here, you might imagine the book’s characters coming to life in this picturesque little neighbourhood, which, has once again risen to fame this time not because of a novel but because of a rather peculiar community project.

Established about 8 years ago, Arte Corte is a Hairdressing Salon of Gilberto Valladares (Papito) that is also an “Interactive Museum” of the art of hair dressing, where the customers, while comfortably seated in a 100 year old chair awaiting their turn, may view antique scissors, razors, mirrors, vials, shaving brushes, combs, brushes & advertisements, along with original paintings & drawings by Cuban artists, all focusing on the topic of hairdressing.

Loquacious like all good barbers, Gilberto speaks at the same speed & enthusiasm as his hands handle the scissors. However, his conversations don’t involve homeruns made by his favourite baseball team or inappropriate comments about the beautiful woman who lives across the street.

Instead, Papito talks of his Projects, his most recent find for a future Hairdressing Museum, or a new addition to his art collection. It is therefore hardly surprising that we may find, seated in the salon, a popular TV announcer determined to change her look or a renowned Cuban art curator waiting for a traditional haircut.

The narrow alley Callejon de los Peluqueros literally translates as "Hairdressers’ Alleyway" & the neighbourhood has earned this nickname thanks to the visionary Barber who found a way to give back to his local community while providing jobs to unskilled workforce & idle youth &, at the same time, elevating the art of hair cutting to new heights.

This is the one place in Cuba where you will find the biggest concentration of Hairdressing salons & Barber shops, as well as a Hairdressing school churning out skilled Barbers & Hairdressers, trained by Papito himself, the mastermind behind Arte Corte & a Collector of all manner of hair-salon-related objects & barber shop artifacts, the number of youngsters who have benefitted from the Project grows by the day.

Papito’s Barber shop & salon is a living Museum with historic hairdressing relics, from antique barber chairs to old barber’s tools that are so well-looked after they can still be used.

His salon is a living work of art, a trip down memory lane, a time-lapse guests will want to step into (& maybe make the most of the occasion to have a haircut, trim your beard or style your hair in the most amazing setting ever!).

Since 2002, Arte Corte cultural Project has gained the support of the City Historian’s Office & has brought together Barbers, Hairdressers, Models, Artists & Historians who seek to preserve & disseminate the history of hairdressing in Cuba & organize exhibitions, shows & art festivals.

Thanks to Papito, the Project has breathed new life into a previously decaying neighbourhood & the place has been revived to the point that it now feels chic & trendy without having abandoned its original, deep-set, colonial beauty & architecture.

You will notice the constant references to hair cutting, thanks to the omnipresent images of scissors, the eye-catching wall art, the signs & the many private businesses who echo the Community Project. The vast majority of "Paladares" & Bars in this atmospheric alleyway, put a percentage of their profits back into this Project.

The Project also organises an annual event, presenting an award, to the most experienced & successful hair stylists of Cuba, named in honour of internationally renowned Cuban barber, poet, journalist, patriot Juan Evangelista Valdes Veitia (1836-1918).

To celebrate the Barber’s & Hairdresser’s Day, first begun in 1946, a simultaneous haircutting event gathers hundreds of barbers & hairdressers (193 in 2019) who turn Plaza Vieja into a huge outdoor salon, which also serves as the perfect setting for “Habaname” (Havana-me), a Hairstyle Show that exhibits creative & fantasy coiffures inspired by emblematic sites & monuments of the city.

Spend an hour here interacting with the locals. Walk along & admire the new private businesses that have popped up, the private hair salons, owned & run by members of the Arte Corte community.

The tour ends & you are transferred back to the hotel.

Evening, be ready for the raison d’etre for this trip to Cuba.

Proceed to attend the Opening Ceremony for El Festival del Habano

During the Ceremony, the nominations for the “Premio Habano” awards will take place. Followed by a private Concert by a well-known Cuban Musician (to be announced).

An authentic iconic Cuba attraction in itself, the Habano is considered the best Cigar on the planet, using the best Tobacco cultivated with best soils, weather, farmers’ generational experience & traditional knowledge.

Cuba’s Cigar Festival is the foremost & most eagerly-awaited World event for all Habano enthusiasts fond of the Cuban premium brands. Organized for the first time in 1999, the annual Event welcomes over 2,000 + aficionados from around 80 countries, including tourists, Distributors, Merchants & international personalities from the worlds of culture, fine dining, film, fashion, sport, collecting & artisanship, all enjoying a shared passion - the premium Cuban Habano brands.

Over the years, the Festival has remained true to its original purpose to celebrate the finest Cigars in the world & has established itself as a unique beacon for the excellence of the Habano where the Attendees can participate in Seminars with classes taught by experts, opportunities to roll their own leaves & experience first-hand the secrets of a deep-rooted centuries-old tradition at the Plantations & Factories, enjoy the privilege of being amongst the first in the world to taste the new Habanos vitolas that are introduced there by, among others, the largest Cigar producer in the world - Habanos, a Spanish-Cuban company founded in the year 2000 in Havana which reportedly has approx. 70 % share amounting to around 140 million Cigars sold around the world last year.

They participants rub shoulders with Cuba’s most influential businessmen, establish relationships with world leaders in the Cigar industry & enjoy glittering social occasions, enlivened by special guest performances of internationally & nationally acclaimed Cuban & Latin American artists.

After the Ceremony concludes, proceed for Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Return to the hotel.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed to Partagas Cigar Factory, a truly Cuban experience.

Few things about Cuba are as renowned in even the farthest reaches of the globe as their penchant for making high quality Cigars renowned as the finest in the world or brewing Rum.

This Cuban icon, the Factory intrinsically linked to its history, was founded in 1845 by Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas who owned many of the best Plantations in the Vuelta Abajo tobacco-growing region & so, being able to choose from among the finest Tobaccos on the island. Don Jaime is also believed to have experimented with various methods of fermenting & aging Tobacco and is legendarily credited with hiring the first lector to read to & entertain the workers as they rolled the Cigars.

Before & after the Revolution, the Cuban-produced Partagas has been one of the most revered & one of the highest-selling brands in the world, currently producing some 5 million Cigars annually. Visitors can avail the unique opportunity to learn about how these Cigars are made & you will surely remember the rich smell of some of the world’s finest Tobaccos.

You will see every step of the traditional process, from Tobacco coming in on the trucks to sorting, rolling, crafting iconic hand-rolled Cohiba Cigars, wrapping & even adhering the proper labels to ensure their authenticity. 

Visitors are surprised to see some novel ‘socialist’ practices to boost productivity. Cuba’s literary traditions kick in. The day begins with the unique practice of one of the staff loudly reading the daily newspaper, followed by works of historic literature, while the workers listen intently & diligently continue with their jobs. On top, they are allowed to relax & smoke while they work. No wonder that many of their brands are named after famous literary figures & are famed around the globe.

Quality is always of utmost concern & positions within the Production areas, which pay a much higher salary compared to many regular labor jobs in the city, require a minimum of 9 months of training for the workers who fill them. Another social perk, which the Westerners cannot imagine, is that the workers are offered their choice of 3 premium Cigars at the end of each shift.

The 45 minutes experience, a chance to view an integral part of Cuba’s history & present up close & personal, concludes & you move on.

Next door, you will find Havana's most ambitious & grandiose building, the magnificent El Capitolio Nacional (National Capitol of Cuba), an emblematic landmark from the time between Cuban Independence & Cuban Revolution.

One of Cuba’s most outstanding architectural patrimony, designed by local Architects & built by an American construction company, this monumental building, made with white Capellanía limestone & granite block, is similar to the Capitol in Washington DC, but is actually modeled on the Pantheon in Paris & took 5000 workers 3 years, 2 months & 20 days to construct, at a cost of US$17 million.

Constructed in the post-WW I boom ('Dance of the Millions') & gifted to the Cuban government by the wealthy Sugar Barons, the building has an entrance guarded by 6 rounded Doric columns atop a staircase that leads up from Paseo de Marti.

Formerly, it was the seat of the Cuban Congress before the triumph of the Revolution, then from 1959 to 2013 housed the Cuban Academy of Sciences & the National Library of Science & Technology.

Looking out over the skyline is a 62 metres stone Cupola topped with a replica of 16^th century Florentine sculptor Giambologna's bronze statue of Mercury in the Palazzo del Bargello. The incomparable Capitolio Nacional is packed with artwork from Cuban & foreign artists. Set in the floor directly below the dome, is a copy of a 24 carats diamond which marks the kilometer 0 milestone & Highway distances between Havana & all sites in Cuba are calculated from this point.

The entryway is accessed by a sweeping 55 step staircase guarded by 2 giant Statues carved by Italian sculptor Angelo Zanelli: El Trabajo & La Virtud Tutelar. The main doors open into the Salon de los Pasos Perdidos (Room of the Lost Steps, so named because of its unusual acoustics), at the center of which is a magnificent Statue of La Republica, an enormous 17.6 metres tall 30 tonne bronze Statue of a woman symbolizing the mythic Guardian of Virtue & Work, covered in gold leaf. Carved by Zanelli in Rome & shipped to Cuba in 3 pieces, it is the 3^rd largest indoor statue in the world.

You will go inside & see palatial hallways, the Chamber of Representatives & the newly established Tumba del Mambí Desconocido (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier).

Then, hop in the vehicle & drive around the most important historical sites in the Modern Havana neighbourhoods of Vedado & Miramar (some, you may have seen earlier).

Top for Lunch at El Aljibe restaurant.

Immediately after, proceed to Palacio de Las Convenciones.    to attend the Opening of the Festival’s Exhibition & Fair. Stroll around the Stalls, stopping to talk & learn. You may also be offered a chance for complimentary Cigar Tasting (oops.. smoking).

Spend an hour or 2 & then transfer back to the hotel & relax.

Evening, meet the Journeys Rep at 07.30 pm & drive to Tropicana Night Club for another exciting experience.

Tropicana Cabaret is a Vegas-style extravaganza with 200 beautiful dancers & performers going through the full range of popular local dances with excellent choreography & routines that narrates the story of Cuban history & its people through interpretive dance.

The 3 hour Show features flamboyant cabaret routines highlighted by a never-ending parade of mulata (mixed-race) showgirls in their see-through fishnet body suits dripping with silver baubles that dangle like still-wet tiny fishes, silver thigh-high boots, ruffled frills, sensational headdresses & feathers more ostentatious than peacocks’ with glowing chandeliers atop their heads, sashaying & shaking as they strut down the aisle. Jugglers, Acrobats, even Comedians are often featured, as are solo Singers who perform everything from boleros to romantic opera - all a legacy of the 19^th century Cuban music halls that were the modern Cabarets’ antecedent.

Tropicana’s performers are selected from the creme de la creme of Cuba’s beauties, dancers & singers & artists. So esteemed are figurantes & bailarinas that more than 10,000 hopefuls a year apply for auditions.

International celebrities such as Nat “King” Cole, Josephine Baker, Carmen Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Rita Montaner, Elena Burke & Bola de Nieve, amongst others.  headlined the shows, drawing the Havana elite.

The Tropicana Club came into being in 1939, as an open-air theater in the lush tropical gardens of the former residence of the U.S. Ambassador in a 6 acre Estate in the Marianao neighborhood. The surroundings featured effusive tropical foliage as part of its setting. Guests instantly feel welcomed by large majestic trees, such as royal palm trees, ackee & mango trees, cedars & interesting sculptures such as the Fountain of the Nymphs & the Slender Dancer by the entrance, surely symbolic of the decadence of earlier times in Cuba that adorn the Entrance. The greenery forms part of the interior design, giving this enchanted place the aspect sensation of a magic forest. As you watch people exit vintage cars by the entrance, imagine how it must have been to drive up to the Club during its heyday!

It was initially designed to accommodate 300 guests, something that seemed like an unrealistic feat at the time. The fabulous Show also takes place from 8.30 p.m. till dawn on the open-air Terrace surrounded by a luxuriant forest, with a seating for up to 1400 people & last till dawn. Today, the Tropicana fills almost to capacity for its showstopping performance.

With an oral history of the Club’s heyday, the decadent jet-set heaven of 1950s Havana, the only place to be was Tropicana, a pleasure dome where the Shows (& Showgirls) were dazzling, the gambling was high-stakes & the revelers included Marlon Brando, Ernest Hemingway, Rita Hayworth & J.F.K., to name a few.

The Show was so popular that a 50 passenger “Tropicana Special” flew nightly from Miami for an evening of entertainment that ended in the Nightclub’s Casino, which offered a daily $10,000 Bingo jackpot & on Sundays, a free Raffle give-away of a new Automobile.

Jean Stein chronicles the whirl of sexual freedom, official corruption & Mafia control, that fueled the party - until the night Fidel Castro’s revolutionaries took the floor.

Watch the spectacular performance under the stars in one of the largest & most beautiful Nightclubs in Cuba, as you enjoy Dinner. The chords of the Violin & Piano, the moon filtering through the greenery & an encompassing view of the surrounding Garden confirm the exoticism & sophistication of this luxurious settings.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Morning at 09.00 am, hop on the vehicle & drive to Palacio de Las Convenciones for more professional or personal interaction with the international & local dealers, exhibitors & aficionados and participate in the programmed activities.

You may also see or meet one of the A-Listers, a Hollywood guy or gal or some equally famous celebrity.

Getting out from here, let us discover the other iconic Cuban export.

Cuba is well known for having some of the best Rum & Cigars in the world & it is an essential part of Cuban culture, shaped by the country’s climate, geography, history & people.

You will drive through Cerro municipality, one of the oldest borough chosen by wealthy families of the capital as a place to spend the summer. Here, you see the Bocoy Rum Factory, established in 1878 to produce Ron Bocoy & the Legendario brands, where you will learn about the Cuban rum production & its fascinating history. The ex Factory (now Museum) has produced rum in Cuba for more than 4 centuries.

Havana is ground zero for the best Rum & Cigar experiences in Cuba. These 2 world famous Cuban exports are found on every street corner in every town in the country. Havana & Cigars & Rum are things that go together well.

Sugarcane & its ethereal descendant - authentic Cuban Rum - are closely associated with the legends of the Cuban nation, with its countryside, its culture, its music & its spirit.

Rum is the alcohol produced by the distillation of sugarcane by-products, typically molasses. When sugarcane fields spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean, Distilleries followed close behind. By the close of the 18^th century, Rum production was well established. Diverse styles of Rum resulted from the natural variations in raw materials & different production techniques employed across the region.

The careful production of fine Rum on the Island dates only to the 19^th century. An 1827 survey counted 300 Distilleries in the country. Then, in 1862, a wine merchant in the town of Santiago named Don Facundo Bacardi y Maso began making the Rum that would make Cuba famous.

Rum grew along Cuban identity & Havana Club is an outstanding champion of Rum culture.

A ‘must visit’ stop in Old Havana for any Connoisseur is the Museo del Ron Havana Club & a Tasting. Here, you can experience a journey into the Cuban roots & discover the history, origins & the source of the Island’s culture.

As its finest expression, the Havana Club range represents this rich heritage. Produced by Maestros del Ron Cubano (brew masters) following traditional Cuban rum making methods, the Havana Club rum embodies the spirit of Cuba, enjoyed by Cantineros & rum drinkers around the world to the rhythm of the best Cuban music.

The birthplace of Havana Club Rum is located in the small city of Cardenas, 2 hours away from Havana. The Arechabala family founded the Distillery in 1878 & created the Havana Club brand in 1934. The rest is history, with the brand fast becoming a worldwide favourite.

Proceed to check out Museo del Ron Havana Club nestled in the heart of Old Havana, in an elegant 18^th century colonial house, that offers a fascinating encounter with the history of the iconic Cuban Rum.

The Havana Club Museum is home to everything you need to know about the history of Rum in Cuba, how it is made, as well as a sweet little Bar where you can sample fine Mojitos, Daiquiris or sip some golden Rum aged to perfection.

The Havana Club Prestige Collection harnesses the expertise & passion of Cuba’s Maestros del Ron Cubano to create exceptional Rums that can challenge even the most refined palates. Each Rum is a rare expression of the work of the Maestros, past & present, created for sipping & savouring.

Havana Club doesn’t do any actual distilling in the city, their largest Distilleries can be found in Santa Cruz del Norte & in San Jose. However, guests can explore the production process, from freshly cut sugar cane in a surprising scale model factory & understand how the how the distillery & aging warehouses worked & how sugar cane changed the course of history, turning Cuba into the Cradle of Light Rum.

Enjoy a ‘guided’ tour at the Museum through the history & production of “the happy son of sugar cane” & discover an invaluable part of the Cuban culture & tradition.

Once the path of knowing the history & production of the Rum has been completed, if you like to combine sensations, a pairing between a Cuban Cigar & Havana Club Rum will be the experience to choose. Designed for connoisseurs, perform this ceremony accompanied by a specialist & enjoy 2 quintessential Cuban products.

Once visitors have walked the Rum path, those interested in a more intensive immersion, can act at being a Bartender Apprentice. Experience the art of mixing a Cocktail with a senior Bartender as your host. Learn how to prepare 2 classic Cocktails, with the Cuban seal & surprise your friends at home.

After strolling through the Galleries, visitors have the opportunity to ‘taste’ 3 symbolic Rums produced by the Havana Club, with different colors, aromas & flavors, based on evolution achieved through natural aging - Anejo 3 Years, Anejo 7 Years & Seleccion de Maestros.

Enjoy contemporary Cuban cocktails in the Bar (direct payment) & discover the complete range of Havana Club in the specialized gift shop.

The 2 hour experience ends with the Tasting & you are transferred back to the hotel by late afternoon.

Relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Evening, another tryst with history. Meet the Journeys Rep / Driver at 08.00 pm & proceed to Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabana to attend one of the most traditional & popular ceremonies in Cuba - Firing of the Cannon. There is a saying among the Cuban people that if you are a genuine Cuban, you must have attended the shooting of the Cannon at 9 O’clock at least once in your lifetime.

A group of soldiers, clad in 17^th, 18^th, 19^th century Spanish military uniforms & employing pieces of artillery from the time, will stage the Ritual with German punctuality. The sound of the Cannon is as much a part of Havana as any of its buildings or streets & as much a part of Cuban culture as dance & music.

Every evening, hundreds of Cubans & foreign travellers are drawn to the Fortress to witness the firing exactly at 9.00 pm, a tradition that began in the 18^th century, following the construction of an immense stone wall meant to protect the colonial settlement of San Cristobal & the 17^th century fortresses of La Cabana & Morro, constructed by the Spanish to guard the entrance to Bay area, from attacks by privateers, pirates & the naval fleets of rival powers such as England & France. The Morro fortress was also equipped with a Lighthouse, to guide approaching ships.

Originally, the Cannon used be ‘fired’ twice daily, with the first shot at 04.30 am in the morning. This initial shot was designed to signal the opening of the 2 Gates of the city & the evening one was to signal the closure. As time went by & the numbers grew, as many as 9 Gates were created. Following the evening shot, Havana was divided into 2 areas: the area within the city walls & the area outside it. Today, the ‘firing’ serves as a tourist attraction signifying an old Cuban tradition. Today, the majestic structures & the history of their walls & bunkers, make these Fortresses a popular tourist attraction.

The premises of La Cabana are the venue of Havana’s International Book Fair, craft shows & cultural gatherings & Concerts. Souvenirs & traditional Cuban crafts, paintings, engravings showing typical Havana scenes & even handmade clothing are sold down its cobbled thoroughfares & its Museums house everything from a Roman catapult to the reproduction of a primitive hunter. Enjoy a truly magnificent landscape view of the city.

Tonight, we have not envisaged any Dinner to enable you an opportunity to discover your own favourite place (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements, of course).

Return to the hotel.

Today, we have a special treat for you. Away from the tourist trail.

When you think about it, the whole of Cuba is actually a living Museum… the colonial facades from the first half of last century characterize the cityscape of Havana; the American classic cars are tourist attractions. Even the Cuban Cigar industry deliberately places emphasis on tradition.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceed to Museo del Tabaco located in a non-descript 18^th century Mansion that once belonged to merchant Don Bartolome Luque, in the old town. Most Cigar aficionados know the neighboring Hotel Conde de Villanueva in which Reynaldo Gonzalez’s famous Casa del Habano is situated. An inconspicuous sign in the doorway points the way to a small staircase, which leads to the Museum on the 1^st & 2^nd floors.

Havanas are, generally speaking, still produced the way they were a hundred years ago. However, the knowledge must be cultivated so that it isn’t forgotten over time. This is a task that the Tobacco Museum is dedicated to, preserving the heritage of the Cuban Tobacco branch & passing on to the next generation.

But, it is not conventional exploration here, going from exhibit to exhibit. The modest Museum displays lithographic prints, old pipes & lighters, early cigar humidors & ashtrays, furniture, smokers’ accessories, decorative & visual art pieces.

The lady in-charge, a retired Professor of Philosophy & History at the University of Havana, takes on ‘passing the mantle to the next generation’ quite literally. She has pioneered the concept of Tertulias de Habano (Habano gatherings), a fine example of the kind of cultural promotion that will keep the traditions alive. At these meetings, intellectuals, representatives from the industry, friends of the house, honor an outstanding personality from the Tobacco world - always alternating between a living & a historical figure.

One guest of honor at a Tertulia was, for example, Heinrich Villiger, a 3^rd generation leader in the world of Cigars, whose family has evolved a small factory in Central Europe to an international behemoth & he continues to be an internationally acclaimed Tobacco expert. Ernesto Che Guevara & Gaucho Marx have also been in the spotlight. At an event that honored Winston Churchill, the former British Prime Minister’s niece & the British ambassador also participated.

For the Lectores (the Readers in the tobacco factories), the Museum offers Training Courses where it teaches History, Art, Culture, Literature, Journalism, Communication & Tobacco Cultivation in Cuba. No wonder, some get lured away by television. The Museum maintains a Library for the more than 200 Readers registered at any given time & also brings together local & international Researchers, Collectors, Journalists & contemporary writers related to Cigar culture, to interact with the Readers & workers of Tobacco factories.

At these Courses with a scientific character, running since 1999, popular with Sommeliers, Dealers & regular Aficionados, the participants increase their knowledge of Habano, in particular, paired with production of Rums. Graduates of the 6 months Course receive a highly regarded Certificate, seen as a pre-requisite for advancement to higher positions in the Tobacco industry.

In addition, the Museum also founded a female Friends of Habano Club where females - employees from La Casa del Habano stores, factory directors, local & international writers & journalists meet & network within the group. Every 2 months a themed event takes places with music & a Cigar tasting. On International Women’s Day, the Museo organizes a discussion group & the event is dedicated to women from a particular profession in the Tobacco world.

Time to move on. Enjoy Lunch on your own (not included - direct payment).

Later in the afternoon, you will be transferred again to Palacio de Las Convenciones to participate in the Festival's Exhibition & interact with other stakeholders & / or regular tourists & locals. Participate in programmed activities, some of which may be at related venues across the city (you will have the vehicle at disposal, if required)

Come back to the hotel.

Evening, meet the Journeys Rep & proceed to retrace the steps of Ernest Hemingway, one of the most famous names liked to the Island.

Havana is ground zero for the best Rum & Cigar experiences in Cuba. These 2 world famous Cuban exports are found on every street corner in every town in the country. Havana & Cigars & Rum are things that go together well.

A ‘must visit’ stop in Old Havana should include the places made notorious by Nobel Prize winning author Hemingway & his enjoyment of libations - La Bodeguita del Medio for a Mojito & the El Floridita for an original Daiquirí. during his time in the city.

Hemingway was fond of rum, well let us just say he was fond of drinking & spent much of his leisure time sipping fine spirits, so you would expect that he would be an expert at choosing the right place & the right drink for any occasion. He once said, “I live in Cuba because I love Cuba”.

You will stop at El Floridita where history shows that he spent a lot of time. El Floridita was a favorite of American expats long before Hemingway dropped by in the 1930s, hence the name. It has certainly been around the block since it first opened its doors over 200 years ago under the name Pina de Plata, later Florida in 1910 & El Floridita in 1914.

Legend says he dropped into the Bar one day & noticed the popularity of the frozen Daiquiri, a fruity drink created by El Floridita’s owner. Hemingway sampled an offering & declared he would prefer it without sugar & double the rum. The Bartender prepared the drink to Hemingway’s taste & a new drink was born - the famous Papa Hemingway Daiquiri. The Bar & restaurant became world-known, thanks to its most famous patron, drinking his customary daiquiri, who once reportedly put 13 double daiquiris away in one sitting.

The writer has ended up being the main attraction for tourists from all over the world, who visit “the cradle of daiquiri” & take their pictures either by the bronze Bust sculpted in 1954, placed in his favorite corner at the end of the Bar, or a newer life-size Statue of Papa, made in 2003. The Bar is filled with other Hemingway memorabilia & tourists enjoy the ambience of its lovely mid-century decor & rum daiquiris. The feeling of pre-revolution Cuba is alive & well here, complete with Bartenders in red coats.

Spend an hour sipping a Papa Hemingway Daiquiri before walking to restaurant for dinner.

Come back to the hotel.

Today, you will enjoy an exciting experience, internationally famous, not to be missed.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 06:00 am & proceed to arguably the most picturesque part of Cuba - the Vinales region, for a full day excursion.

If you have ever wondered where the world’s finest Cigars start out, it is in the innumerable lovingly cultivated Tobacco Plantations of Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province known as the Capital of Tobacco. But those Plantations are only part of the area’s magic.

Pinar del Rio city is the capital of the most western province that bears the same name. It owes its name to the great numbers of enormous pines that you will find as you enter the province.

Follow the Tobacco route traveling to the province of Pinar del Rio, specifically to the region of Vuelta Abajo, where the best Tobacco in the world is harvested.

Travelling west through thousands of acres of farmland, mostly grains, rice, sugarcane & coffee, pass by the surreal limestone mountains strung along flat plains, called 'Mogotes' (translating as 'haystacks' - a relevant term, considering their steep sides & rounded jungly tops) by the locals, jutting out of the landscape, formed by the erosion of limestone over millions of years.

These plains, where Cuban cowboys roam & dreamy villages doze, are ringed by mountain ranges crowned by vast stretches of tropical forests.

Around them, the iron-rich, red soil creates a patchwork of fields growing some of the best Tobacco in the world - the raw material for Cuba's celebrated Cigars. Mogotes tower above as you pass through Tobacco fields & drying barns.

Pinar del Rio may seem simple compared to other big cities in Cuba but that doesn't take away from its beauty. Among its most emblematic architectural treasures is the Palacio de Guasch dating back to 1909 & combining various architectural styles reminiscent of early 20^th century Catalonian modernism, which houses the Museo de Ciencias Naturales Sandalio de Noda (Sandalio de Noda Museum of Natural Sciences) offering impressive collections of the history of the fauna & flora of the Island.

Teatro Jose Jacinto Milanes (Milanese Theatre) named after the poet Jacinto Milanes, in a 19^th century recently restored neoclassical building, is Cuba's most interesting theater. The Provincial History Museum offers a good overview of the history of the province & the city of Pinar del Rio, from pre-Columbian times to the present day.

Due to its proximity to the area’s Tobacco Farms (though most bigger Farms have their own production facilities in-house), it is no wonder that there is a Cigar Factory in the city. The Francisco Donatie Cigar Factory, housed in a building that was once a hospital & then a prison, today produces some of the best Cigars in the country.

Several highways criss-cross the area, through the mountains or along the coast, yielding spectacular views at every turn. The Central Highway winds through most of Pinar del Rio's mountain ranges & swings by Pan de Guajaibon - Cuba's highest western mountain peak.

There are a few other things to see just outside the city. The 22 metre high, spring-fed Soroa (Rainbow) Waterfall is home to about 1,000 species of exotic orchids. Cueva de los Portales was one of Che Guevara’s hideout during the 1962 Missile Crisis & the Cave houses a small Museum. Cuban Mantua is a small village & a National Monument where in January, 1896, the Independence Army's western campaign came to an end.

Spend 2 hours in the city before continuing on the tour.

Somewhat far from the city, you will be able to admire how traditional Havana cigars are produced.

But, before leaving the city limts, you must taste a typical rum, unique to this area. Since 1892, the Garay house has produced the exquisite Guayabita del Pinar, the famous Pinar del Rio liqueur produced in 2 versions, sweet or dry rum, prepared from guayabitas (a variety of small guavas that only grows in the surrounding woods). Enjoy a brief tour of the Factory & taste the liqueur. You may even purchase a bottle.

And now, proceed to the raison d’etre of today’s excursion - to discover how Cigars are produced.

Tobacco is still king on Cuba's western fingertip, a rolling canvas of rust-red oxen-furrowed fields, thatched tobacco-drying houses & sombrero-clad Guajiros (country folk).

Tobacco experts often say that the best & the worst Tobacco in the world come from Cuba. The leaf is grown in just about every region of the Island. However, it is the rich red soil of the Vuelta Abajo that produces the best, both for Filler & Wrapper.

80 percent of the land in Pinar del Rio is in the hands of small farmers who are members of cooperatives who share their land & other resources, such as tractors, equipment & supplies. All over the Island, Cuban agriculture benefits from the traditions passed down through generations of farm families, who know best how to make the most of their crops. Nationwide, about 60,000 people are employed in Tobacco industry during most of the year & during “peak” seasons, that number can grow to 150,000, many of whom are volunteers.

To learn about this exciting field, we chose La Finca de Quemado de Rubi owned by Hector Luis, one of Cuba's most famous Tobacco farmer, who was awarded Hombre Habano prize for the excellence of his leaves.

A 25 minute tour of the Farm will illustrate the complex process of cutting, drying, aging & selection of the leaves which must be picked within a month in a harvest process that is very interesting to observe. Witness the creation of the much-exported Cuban Cigars in their infancy & learn about how they are made & for the novelty, even try one yourself.

You will visit the fields & an Escogida, where leaves are selected & a Despalillo workshop, where Tobacco is removed of its stems. Then, see the production center where Cigars are finally produced.

Not only will you be able to watch the manufacturing process & the traditional way of working of the Guajiros, the Cuban farmers, but you will also be able to taste them.

Making a Cigar with a handful of dried leaves may seem easy ... until you try it for yourself. All the tradition behind a Cigar is inherited from one generation to another & knowledge of this crop is of great value to the locals of Pinar del Río.

Made entirely by hand, Cuban Cigars ignite the most intense passions in thousands of smokers around the world. It is interesting to compare the commercial Cigar market with the farmers who actually grow the Tobacco & you will meet some of them along the way.

In true PDR form, the Tobaccos are well-packed, giving the Cigar a nice firmness throughout & a closed foot. The aromatic wrapper is an attractive blonde, even in color & sealed with a perfectly fashioned Cuban pigtail at the head.

Continue on to the next destination - serene Vinales, a small rural town known for its small limestone cliffs (but, you have seen them before). Along the way, stop at Mirador los Jazmines (Jazmines Viewpoint), one of the best places to see the mogotes in their full glory.

When Pinar del Rio's greenery starts to erupt into craggy mogotes & you spy a cigar-chewing Guajiro driving his oxen & plough through a rust-colored tobacco field, you know you have arrived.

People don't come here for the music or the mojitos, they come to dip indulgently into the natural world, hiking, horse-riding or cycling through some of the most wonderful landscapes in Cuba. Beautifully rural, Vinales is endowed in large limestone cliffs covered with flat flora & plant life over a circular end, something that is very similar to Vietnam.

Despite its longstanding love affair with tourism, this slow, relaxed, wonderfully traditional settlement is a place that steadfastly refuses to put on a show. What you see here is what you get - an agricultural town where front doors are left wide open, everyone knows everyone else & a night out on the tiles involves house owners far in a rural area, will gently sway back & forth in their rocking chairs (sillon) whilst on their rustic porch analyzing the Milky Way. Workers will be manning horse & carts as they collect goods.

Vinales is a perfect example of the work ‘behind the scenes’ that produces Cuba's crops as any farming town would be, but the authentic production of the world-famous Cuban cigars gives it a unique selling point. The streets epitomise the laid back nature of it’s surroundings.

Although there isn’t a huge market, Vinales does have some impressive & noteworthy buildings. Galeria da Arte has a small collection of work from local artists that you will really want in your living room. Next door is Casa de la Cultura, which dates back to the 1830’s, a small colonial style Theatre with its original furniture still in place. Jardin Botanico de Caridad is a charming garden with dozens of trees, shrubs & flowers all jam-packed with one another. Take a picture with a Palma Corcho – these trees have been around since the Jurassic period. Vinales also has the largest cave system on the Island.

Pass by the magnificent Mural de la Prehistoria (Mural of the Prehistory), a gigantic painting 120 meters long & 80 meters wide, exhibited on the mogote Pita hillside, depicting evolution. It was commissioned by Fidel Castro himself & the multi-colour images show small creatures, dinosaur & man.

Vinales is ideal for cycling because it has safe & relatively flat roads, so your biggest concern will be deciding where to stop for a nice, big mojito with lots of ice. For those, not interested in biking, there are horseback excursions to the surrounding Farms.

Reaching the town, enjoy Lunch in a restaurant against the backdrop of the picturesque mogotes, tasting food directly produced in the countryside. There are many options, from local Cuban cuisine to special western delights, sandwiches, pizza. At night, there are Bars like Complejo Recreativo Polo Montanez that features both salsa & other music genres.

Post lunch, proceed on an hour long exploration to see the huge Cave complex. Board a Boat, traversing the 2 rivers that run through Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave). In the San Miguel Cave, you will find numerous examples of rock art depicting the lives of the first inhabitants of the Island, the pre-Colombian aborigines.

Come back & if time permits, enjoy a short Horse ride through the vicinity. Locals say, understanding one of these beautiful animals is the first step to comprehension about the rest of the valley. Every horizon seems to be filled with a host of quintessential 'come to the Cuban countryside' images

And finally, it is time to go home, to your hotel in Havana.

Reach the hotel by evening & relax for a while. However, the discovery day is not over yet.

In time, meet the Journey Rep & proceed to enjoy Dinner at La Cocina de Liliam where ex- President Jimmy Carter dined on his visit to Cuba on May 13, 2002.

One of Havana´s few family-owned restaurants, it is a culinary gem & a true reflection of his owner Lilliam Dominguez Palenzuela´s lifelong passions. 15 years ago, the Cuban government allowed, for the first time, the opening of small private businesses & Lilliam took the opportunity to leave her then-career as fashion designer & open her own restaurant.

Set in the gardens of a beautiful villa in Miramar, it is easy to see why with the romantic, artfully lit garden full of greenery & splashing fountains is miles away from the typical Cuban dining experience. Exquisitely composed & pleasantly presented, each recipe in the menu has been honed, tested & retested until perfection.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Morning, get ready to depart for the countryside by 08.00 am. For a half day excursion to an Agri-tourism initiative.

Today’s adventure begins with a visit to Finca Vista Hermosa - a wholly organic, rural experience a stone’s throw from Havana’s bustling city centre, offers an idyllic natural oasis just minutes from Old Havana’s bustling historic city centre.

Known for its Salsa, Cocktails & colonial cities, Cuba’s green credentials have taken a back seat - until recently. With a growing organic farming movement & an increasing focus on healthy produce amidst Cuba’s picturesque green landscapes, the local col communities are spearheading the Island’s green revolution.

Finca Vista Hermosa is a beautiful Farm offering authentic green experiences that are also 100% organic; from free-roaming animals to sustainable cattle-rearing to ethically-grown crops & harvesting practices to eco-friendly delicious, freshly prepared locally-grown food cooked & served by warm, candid “guajiros” (the term for Cuban countrymen) in the open-air is beginning to attract weary travelers in search of countryside charm.

One of the things that make this Havana Farm stand out from others; (beyond organic food) are the idyllic picture postcard views all around.

Finca Vista Hermosa’s approach to farming is all about sustainability. Both for the end consumers but most importantly, for the benefit of the environment & the health & wellbeing of animals. No chemicals or artificial fertilisers are ever used here. Not on the fields & the crops and certainly not on the animals raised for meat and dairy. Everything here is organic to the core.

The animals here are one of the happiest & best-fed in Cuba. From peacocks to chicken, pigs & cows, they all graze & feed on naturally nutrient-rich soil. King grass & mulberry bushes abounds & the pigs love munching on “palmiche”. Visitors can witness their feeding routine as they search for their favourite fruit under the tall palm trees & they have a lot of space to roam around. And, as the biggest producer of goat’s milk in the province, there is no shortage of goats to spot here!

Farm to Table is a concept that’s rarely applied elsewhere in Havana, or just beginning to be, but here, the utterly delicious & wholesome food, is a way of life. What they produce here, both, crops & cattle raised for meat & dairy, is exclusively served at the onsite restaurant & at a few city restaurants.

You will not only be shown the Farm’s stock of cheeses & cold meats but the Meal here, includes a selection of these homemade cheeses & salami, accompanied by homemade bread. For mains, there is roasted pork, rice & black beans with a side of fresh vegetables grown here followed by a traditional homecooked desert.

You may even talk to the Chef & observe the farm-to-table Cuban cuisine being prepared. And if you want to, you can even enjoy a horse ride that takes you to a panoramic lookout point with amazing views over land & sea.

Finally, it is time to go back.

Reach the hotel by afternoon & relax (or we would be happy to offer suggestions if you want to move around Old Havana).

El Festival del Habano comes to an end today in the evening.

The Festival concludes with a Gala Dinner, always an entertaining formal affair, full of great smokes, a glittering finale. Good food, good wine & great Cigars abound accompanied by spectacular entertainment. The annual Habanos Prizes are awarded in 3 categories – Producers, Dealers, Communicators & Influencers.  

The highlight is the Auction to raise money for the Cuban Public Health System. Under the hammer are a dozen or so uniquely designed Humidors made by leading Cuban artists & craftsmen, that usually appear more like ‘large’ pieces of furniture rather than a Humidor filled with Habanos of rare sizes,.produced specially for the event. Last year more than $1.3 million was raised for 12 pieces.

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end & it is time to say good-bye to Cuba. But, we sure hope that after this glimpse (there is much more to Cuba than Havana & Vinales) you may want to discover a little bit more of the Cuban Culture, practice your Salsa & explore the idyllic natural wonderland  & colonial cities, beyond Havana, on your next visit.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

If your onward flight is later in the evening, you can go to the city & explore Havana on your own (we will be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements, if required).

“Travel is like knowledge. The more you see the more you know you have not seen” - Mark Hertsgaard

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & obtain your feedback about the arrangements for the tour. 

The iconic Journey comes to an end and it is time to go home. You will be transferred to Terminal? - Havana Jose Martí International Airport for your onward flight back home. B

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